Spitsbergen, Iceland, Faroe Islands – Island Hopping in and around the Arctic (Southbound)

Enjoy time in Oslo before flying to Svalbard 

Your expedition begins in Oslo, Norway's fjord-side capital, a city rich in history with a thriving art scene. Wander the Ekebergparken sculpture park, admire the striking Opera House and Munch Museum, relax in a floating sauna on the harbour, or head to Sørenga for urban beach life and New Nordic cuisine, before settling in for the night in an airport hotel.  

The town at the top of the world

After an early breakfast, you’ll fly to Longyearbyen. A short panoramic bus tour offers a first glimpse of the town and its surroundings before lunch. Afterwards, enjoy some free time in Longyearbyen before being transferred to the ship for boarding.  

This former coal-mining settlement is small and easy to explore on foot. Wander along the main street, lined with boutique shops, an art gallery, and inviting restaurants. You might even spot a Svalbard reindeer wandering by.  

If you’d like to experience even more of Longyearbyen’s unique surroundings, consider joining our voyage with an extended stay in Longyearbyen. 

A land of spectacular beauty

Spitsbergen, Svalbard's largest island, is a wilderness of steep mountains, glaciers, and scattered offshore islands. 

Over the next few days, we'll explore dramatic fjords where glaciers creak and calve icebergs into the sea, push north towards Northwest Spitsbergen National Park where sea ice may shape our route, and scan for the wildlife that thrives here: polar bears, walruses, Arctic foxes, reindeer, and colonies of seabirds nesting on the cliffs.  

Each day will be different. Landings, Zodiac cruises, kayaking, hikes: be ready for anything as your Captain and Expedition Team read the conditions and seize every opportunity the Arctic offers. 

A day at sea

As we sail south towards Jan Mayen, the open Arctic Ocean stretches around you. Spend time on deck scanning for whales and seabirds, soak in a hot tub as Svalbard fades behind us, or join the Science and Education Programme for insight into one of the world's most isolated islands. After the intensity of Spitsbergen, this is a chance to let everything settle before we reach somewhere even fewer people have seen. 

Visit an active volcano that's a haven for birdlife

Today we reach Jan Mayen, a volcanic island suspended 500 km offshore with no permanent residents and almost no visitors. The only inhabitants are temporarily stationed Norwegian military personnel, meaning we join a very select group given the chance to set foot here. 

Dominated by Beerenberg, the world's northernmost active volcano, the landscape feels almost alien: volcanic rock, moss, and lichen stretching to the horizon. Conditions permitting, we'll go ashore to explore. While there are no land mammals, Jan Mayen is a designated Important Bird Area, home to large colonies of northern fulmars, Brünnich's guillemots, and little auks. Keep watch for whales and seals in the surrounding waters too. This is one of the true highlights of any Arctic expedition. 

A day at sea

As we sail towards northern Iceland, time is yours to enjoy at your own pace. Swap stories with fellow travellers in the Explorer Lounge, scan for marine life and seabirds from deck, or soak in a hot tub while the ocean does the work. The Expedition Team will be in the Science Centre setting the scene for Iceland: its volcanic landscapes, rich culture, and ancient beliefs.  

Iceland's best whale watching spot

Today you'll discover Húsavík, a charming fishing town and one of the best places in the world to see whales. It looks out over Skjálfandi Bay, where humpback and minke whales, white-beaked dolphins, harbour porpoises, and even the elusive blue whale are regularly spotted.

On shore, the Whale Museum brings you closer to these giants, while the Exploration Museum tells a more unexpected story: in the 1960s, NASA sent 32 Apollo astronauts to train in the lunar-like lava fields nearby, preparing them to collect rock samples on the Moon. For something more relaxing, soak in the geothermal waters at GeoSea overlooking the bay, or end the day with a beer at the local microbrewery. 

Local folklore and natural beauty

Today we'll explore Djúpivogur, a quiet village on Iceland's east coast where discovery unfolds at a slower, more intimate pace. From the historic harbour, wander a place where creativity and nature intertwine: the remarkable Stone & Mineral Museum reveals the hidden beauty within Iceland's rocks, while the striking Eggs of Merry Bay sculptures line the waterfront. 

Gentle trails lead past cairns, bird-filled lakes, and sweeping coastal views beneath the iconic, pyramid-shaped Búlandstindur mountain. Old fish oil tanks now echo with music and art. Whether walking to secluded black sand beaches or sharing simple local flavours, this is Iceland up close: unhurried, authentic, and deeply connected to its land and people.

Relax at sea 

As we leave Iceland behind and sail towards the Faroe Islands, the pace shifts. This is a day for curiosity and comfort in equal measure.

The Expedition Team will be hosting lectures on the Faroes, from their dramatic cliffs, to their Norse roots, and island way of life. Sort through your photographs, stretch out in the panoramic sauna, or do absolutely nothing at all. Tomorrow, a new archipelago awaits. 

Surround yourself with the sounds of Faroese nature

Today we stop at Elduvík, a tiny village of just 23 inhabitants set in the Funningsfjørður inlet in the Faroe Islands. Split in two by the river Stórá, this is a place of astonishing quiet. 

Despite its size, Elduvík has a school, church, dock, and pier. From the waterfront, look across sparkling waters to the nearby island of Kalsoy. Walk the charming streets and listen for seabirds, bleating sheep, and waves lapping from the fjord. You'll notice many houses still wear traditional grass roofs, offering natural insulation against the Faroese weather. 

A visit to Streymoy in the Faroe Islands

Founded by Norsemen in the 10th century, Tórshavn, Thor's Harbour, is one of Northern Europe's oldest capitals, set on Streymoy, the largest of the Faroe Islands. 

Wander through cobbled alleyways lined with colourful turf-roofed houses, or visit the local museums to learn about the city's origins and the islands' flora, fauna and geology. A short walk out of town brings you to Svartafoss, where a waterfall tumbles over mossy rocks. Along the seafront, look out for eider ducks and the distinctive Faroese starling with its beige-tipped wings. 

Explore Scotland's northernmost town

Welcome to the Shetland Islands. Lerwick, the capital, is a friendly, Victorian-influenced fishing town set in beautiful scenery. Navigate its narrow lanes on foot to discover little shops selling local whiskies, woollen sweaters, and fudge, then head to the old waterfront for the Shetland Museum, home to Pictish carvings and intricate lace shawls. Nearby, Fort Charlotte and the regal town hall are worth a look. 

Keep your binoculars handy: grey and common seals bask along Lerwick's beaches, and red-throated divers, redshanks, and curlews are often spotted from the shore. 

Time to reflect 

This is our final day at sea as we venture closer to Germany. Take this time to enjoy the facilities on board, share memories of the past few weeks with fellow travellers, or chat with the Expedition Team, perhaps you have unanswered questions about where we've been, or want to dive deeper in the Science Centre. 

A canal that shortcuts a continent 

Today we pass through the Kiel Canal, one of the world's busiest waterways, linking the North Sea with the Baltic. As we navigate this narrow ribbon of water, northern Germany unfolds on either side: small villages, green farmlands, quiet forests, and cargo ships passing close enough to wave at. 

It's a day best spent on deck, watching locks open, bridges rise, and over a century of maritime engineering work around you. Seabirds follow in our wake, vessels share the passage, and the landscape shifts with every mile. In the evening, gather for the Captain's Farewell and celebrate the voyage shared. 

On the edge of the Baltic Sea

Kiel is a true maritime hub on the Northern coast of Germany. For generations, it's been the starting point for voyages to the North Atlantic, Baltic Sea and beyond. Today, it marks the end point of your expedition.  

Bid farewell to ship, crew and your fellow travellers, and take some time to stroll along the wide promenades of city, appreciating the unique German and Scandinavian culture that's been carved out over countless generations of maritime travel.  

Head home, feeling relaxed and inspired by your beautiful autumn adventure.